NASA’s Mars Sample Return Programme On Brink Of Cancellation

NASA’s ambitious Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme, a groundbreaking endeavour aimed at ferrying Martian material collected by the Perseverance rover to Earth, appears to be on the brink of cancellation. The programme, which had been years in the making, was poised to make history as the first mission to bring Martian samples to Earth. However, a recent bipartisan spending bill passed by US lawmakers has effectively axed the MSR programme, leaving scientists reeling.

The MSR programme was designed to retrieve samples collected by the Perseverance rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2021. These samples, comprising Martian rocks and soil, were expected to provide invaluable insights into the Red Planet’s geology, potential biosignatures, and the planet’s mysterious past. By studying these samples up close, scientists hoped to gain a deeper understanding of Mars’ evolution, its potential for supporting ___, and the implications for future human exploration.

The cancellation of the MSR programme has significant implications for the scientific community. Drastic measures have been taken, and researchers are now facing the daunting prospect of never being able to study Martian samples in the same level of detail. The ___ of this programme will undoubtedly hinder the progress of Mars research, forcing scientists to rely ← →